> they worked just fine before government started intervening somewhere mid-last century
Healthcare industry as we know it today did not exist back then (the costs and available treatments are on another level).
> b) their mechanisms (price signals, competition, law of supply and demand, etc) apply just as well like for any other essential goods (food, water, fuel, etc).
Not really or only in a very superficial way and extremely basic way.
> While regulations - brought for our own good and safety, of course - succeed in increasing costs and add delays. Just see healthcare, housing and education for some sad examples.
As far as healthcare and education are concerned this is almost entirely an American problem. Some countries like Switzerland or the Netherlands have entirely private/non-state run healthcare systems but extensive regulation has kept costs relatively low and accessibility at very high levels.
> Healthcare industry as we know it today did not exist back then
Not true - it always existed (with different costs and treatments of course) and it was rather developed and affordable in the '50s and beginning of '60s before government intervention started in the earnest.
> Not really or only in a very superficial way and extremely basic way
Why and how? Feel free to expand and provide some examples.
> this is almost entirely an American problem
Not true. Health care and education are quite expensive in all developed countries, including where they are paid from our tax money then offered to us "for free".
> extensive regulation has kept costs relatively low and accessibility at very high levels.
How does that even work? I never heard of a regulation able to lower prices. Price controls only create shortages. Swiss private healthcare is quite expensive, but the competition on their (relatively) free market is keeping the costs from exploding even more.
Healthcare industry as we know it today did not exist back then (the costs and available treatments are on another level).
> b) their mechanisms (price signals, competition, law of supply and demand, etc) apply just as well like for any other essential goods (food, water, fuel, etc).
Not really or only in a very superficial way and extremely basic way.
> While regulations - brought for our own good and safety, of course - succeed in increasing costs and add delays. Just see healthcare, housing and education for some sad examples.
As far as healthcare and education are concerned this is almost entirely an American problem. Some countries like Switzerland or the Netherlands have entirely private/non-state run healthcare systems but extensive regulation has kept costs relatively low and accessibility at very high levels.